A releasably attachable cushion that can be used with chair armrests, seat armrests, and other types of support structures, to provide extra cushion support for the user's arm. In one embodiment, the cushion has an outer covering and a multi-layer inner structure. The multi-layer inner structure includes at least two layers: a cushion layer and a support layer with the cushion and support layers being enclosed in the outer covering. The support layer is thinner and made of harder material than the cushion layer. In an alternate embodiment, the cushion has an outer covering, a cushion, and a skirt attached to the outer covering. The cushion is enclosed in the outer covering and the skirt has a tightening means so that a user can adjust the tightening means in order to securely apply the cushion of the invention to armrests of various shapes and sizes.
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10. A cushion for removable attachment to an arm of a chair, the cushion comprising:
an outer covering; a cushion member; a support layer, wherein said cushion member and said support layers are enclosed in said outer covering; and tightening means; wherein said outer covering has a plurality of holes to allow said tightening means to pass through and said support layer has a plurality of holes to allow said tightening means to pass through.
1. A cushion for removable attachment to the arm of a chair, the cushion comprising:
an outer covering; a first layer; a second layer, wherein said first layer and second layer are enclosed in said outer covering; and a plurality of straps to detachably attach the cushion to the arm of the chair, wherein the plurality of straps are attached to the second layer, wherein the covering has a plurality of holes to allow said plurality of straps to pass through.
8. A cushion for removable attachment to an arm of a chair, the cushion comprising:
an outer covering having a lower portion with a surface that is made of a non-slippery material; a first layer; a second layer having a non-slippery surface, wherein said first layer and second layer are enclosed in said outer covering; and means to detachably attach the cushion to the arm of the chair, wherein the attachment means are detachably connected to the second layer.
13. A cushion for removable attachment to an arm of a chair, the cushion comprising:
an outer covering; a cushion member; a support layer, which is stiffer than said cushion member, wherein said cushion member and said support layers are enclosed in said outer covering; and a plurality of straps; wherein said outer covering has a plurality of holes to allow said plurality of straps to pass through, and said support layer has a plurality of holes to allow said plurality of straps to pass through.
14. A cushion for removable attachment to an arm of a chair, the cushion comprising:
an outer covering having a lower portion with a plurality of holes; a first, cushioned layer; a second, stiffer layer with a plurality of holes, where the first cushioned layer and second stiffer layer are at least partially enclosed in said outer covering; and strap means to detachably attach the cushion to the arm of the chair, the strap means engaging with the second, stiffer layer by passing through the plurality of holes therein and through the plurality of holes in the outer covering, so as not to compress the first cushioned layer.
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The present invention relates to cushion and more particularly, to cushions which are removably attachable to an arm of a chair.
Armrest cushions are provided on an armrest of a chair to provide comfort and support to users of the chair. Armrest cushions are especially useful and necessary for persons who must sit on a chair for an extended period of time or use a chair that does not provide adequate support and comfort for an extended use.
Often users must sit in a chair to perform a task for an extended period of time. The armrests of chairs are typically made of various hard materials such as plastic and come in various shapes. Because most of the armrests are without any cushion or padding, an extended use of the chairs may cause fatigue and stress to the users, and sometimes cause occupational hazards. Thus it is desirable to provide cushions for the chairs' arms. The problem is more severe for computer users. With the advent of the Internet and computer age, a larger number of the population now use a computer on a daily basis. The computer users often engage in very intensive work sessions that require their continuous presence in front of the computer screens.
Conventional armrest cushions are provided for beach chairs, wheelchairs, and automobile armrests. However, conventional chairs and armrest cushions, even those designed for such purposes, do not provide adequate support and cushion to the computer users. Also, conventional cushions do not provide adequate flexibility and adjustability to the users.
Further, most conventional armrests are designed to work with some specific types of chairs such as beach chairs or wheelchairs. Since they are designed to fit with certain types of chairs, they are often not very flexible and their applicability is limited.
In view of the foregoing, it is highly desirable to provide an armrest cushion that has cushion support and flexibility without losing the necessary rigidity to provide adequate support to the users. It is also desirable to provide an armrest cushion that allows users to adjust the cushion to apply to arms of various sizes and shapes.
The present invention provides a cushion that can be used with chair armrests, seat armrests, and other types of support structure. The cushion of the present invention is releasably attachable to the armrest or a support structure to provide a cushion support for the user of the armrest or the support structure.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cushion for removable attachment to the arm of a chair, comprising an outer covering and a multi-layer inner structure. The multi-layer inner structure includes at least two layers: a cushion layer and a support layer. In a preferred embodiment, the cushion and support layers are enclosed in the outer covering. The support layer is thinner and made of harder material than said cushion.
The cushion has a plurality of straps attached to it so that a user can tighten the straps and secure the cushion on the armrest. In a preferred embodiment, the support layer and the outer covering have holes to accommodate and pass through the straps.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the cushion of the invention comprises an outer covering, an inner layer or cushion, and a skirt attached to the outer covering. The inner cushion is enclosed in the outer covering, and the skirt comprises tightening means. In one embodiment, the skirt has tightening means such as a string so that a user can secure the armrest cushion to the armrest without losing cushion support or softness.
The alternate embodiment is flexible and accommodating of various sized and shaped structures or armrests. When the size of the armrest is smaller than the size of the cushion, the user can still use and enjoy the alternate embodiment of the cushion by placing the cushion on the small size armrest and secure the cushion on the armrest by tightening the string. Tightening the string on a smaller size armrest causes the cushion end portions to bend and wrap around the end side of the armrest, providing a well-fit and adjusted cushion support.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 3(A) is a top perspective view of the second layer and shows the holes in the second layer in one embodiment of the invention:
FIG. 3(B) shows a detail showing the holes in greater detail;
FIG. 5(A) illustrates the cushion of the invention in conjunction with a small size armrest; and
FIG. 5(B) illustrates the cushion of the invention applied to the armrest.
In overview, the present invention provides for a cushion that can be used with chair armrest, seat armrest, and other types of support structure. The cushion of the present invention is releasably attachable to the armrest or a support structure to provide a cushion support for the user of the armrest or the support structure.
The present invention provides an armrest cushion comprising an outer covering and a layered inner structure.
The outer covering made of soft fabric has a tightening means attached around the fringe so that the armrest cushion may be applied to armrests of various sizes. When the armrest cushion is applied to a chair that has relatively shorter armrests, the user can pull the tightening means tight and fit the cushion on the shorter armrest and prevent slip-off.
The second layer 205 is made of thinner and harder material so that it provides sufficient support for the whole armrest cushion, but still flexible enough to allow a little bending in order to accommodate armrest of various shapes. In one embodiment of the invention, the top and bottom surface of the second layer 205 are made to be non-slippery in order to prevent slippage. Various methods and materials can be used to provide a non-slippery surface. For example, small bumps of non-slippery material 231 may be formed on the surfaces of the second layer 205, as best shown in
In one embodiment of the invention, the top surface 215 of the second layer 205 is designed to be non-slippery so as to prevent slippage between the upper and lower layers. Various methods can be used to provide a non-slippery exterior surface. For example, small bumps 231 of non-slippery exterior may be formed on the top surface 215 of the second layer 205. In an alternate embodiment, the top surface 215 may be filed in order to provide fine grain bumps and scratches. The bottom surface 217 of the second layer 205 may also be made non-slippery in order to prevent slippage.
The bottom surface 219 of the outer covering 201 has a non-slippery exterior surface to help prevent it from slipping off the structure such as an armrest. For example, small bumps of non-slippery material may be formed on the bottom surface 219 of the outer covering 201. In an alternate embodiment, the bottom surface 219 may be filed in order to provide fine grain bumps and scratches.
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The straps 207 and 209 are used to secure the armrest cushion to the attached structure, for example an armchair. In the embodiment shown in
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the straps only pass through the bottom 219 of the outer covering 201 without passing through the second layer 205. In this alternate embodiment, the second layer 205 does not require holes to allow the straps 207 and 213 to pass through.
In operation, a user attaches the armrest cushion 200 to an armrest, for example, and fasten the straps 207 and 209 around the armrests using buckles or clamps 211 and 213 to secure the armrest cushion 200 to the armrest. Although two (2) clamps are disclosed for a strap, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that any proper number of straps may be used in conjunction with the invention. For example, three (3) or more (6) may be used instead of two (2). Alternatively, only one strap may be used to secure the cushion 200 to an armrest if one strap is sufficient for the purpose of securing it in view of the dimension and design of the armrest. To remove the cushion 200, the user loosens the straps 207 and 209, and removes the cushion 200 from the secured position.
Although clamps 211 and 213 are shown in
FIG. 3(A) illustrates the holes 223-229 in the second layer 205 in one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3(B) illustrates the holes 223-229 in greater detail. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3(B), the holes 223-229 have saw-tooth shaped edges. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3(B), the hole 223 has one edge protruding longer into the cavity than the opposite edge. For example, in FIG.3.(B), the edge 301 has recesses 305 and 307 and extends longer than the edge 303 into the cavity 223. When the armrest cushion 200 is applied to an armrest having a round cross-section, the longer edge 301 will bend and fit the contour of the round armrest, allowing the rest of the second layer 205 to remain flat enough to provide support for the user. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the second layer 205 has grooves 309 cut partially into the second layer in order to further facilitate the bending of the edge 301.
The bottom part 409 of the outer covering 401 has a surface 411 made of non-slippery material to help prevent slipping of the armrest cushion 400 off the structure such as an armrest. For example, small bumps of non-slippery exterior may be formed on the bottom surface 411. In an alternate embodiment, the bottom surface 411 may be filed in order to provide fine grain bumps and scratches.
As shown in
The embodiment shown in
The string 408 can be tightened and fastened using a clamp or any other suitable method such as simple knotting. In alternate embodiments of the invention, other types of tightening means may be used in place of the string 408. For example, a string, rubber based tightening means or Velcro based tightening means, or any other suitable methods can be used to secure the skirt 405 on the armrest. In yet another embodiment of the invention, any combination of a strap, string, Velcro, rubber can be used as the tightening means.
The alternate embodiment in
FIG. 5(A) illustrates the cushion of the invention in conjunction with a small size armrest. In FIG. 5(A), the side length 501 of the armrest cushion 400 is larger then the side length 503 of the armrest 500. Unlike conventional armrest cushions, the armrest cushion 400 of the invention allows proper fitting on the small armrest 500 so that the user may use the same armrest cushion 400 on different-shaped and sized armrests without having to modify or break the cushion or having to purchase a new cushion. With conventional cushions,-when the larger size cushion is placed on the smaller sized armrest, the end portions such as 502 and 504 will be left without vertical support and will be left dangling in midair, creating potential hazard of causing injuries or at least inconvenience to the users. In contrast, the cushion 400 of the invention allows the end portions 502 and 504 to bend and wrap around the side ends of the smaller armrest 500 so that there is much better fitting of the armrest cushion 400.
FIG. 5(B) illustrates the cushion 400 of the invention applied to the armrest 500. In FIG. 5(B), the flexibility of components of the armrest cushion 400 and the overall design allow the end portions 502 and 504 of the cushion 400 to bend and wrap around the side ends of the armrest 500 without breaking or damaging the armrest or losing cushion support.
Specifically, the outer covering 401 and inner layer 403 are sufficiently flexible to allow bending on end portions 502 and 504 of the armrest cushion 400 and wrap around the both ends of the small armrest 500, as illustrated in FIG. 5(B). The bending of the cushion 400 on end portions 502 and 504 allows the cushion 400 to fit better on the smaller-sized armrests and prevents cushion end portions 502 and 504 from unnecessarily protruding and dangling without vertical support underneath, so that the user may feel more comfortable and have better support using the cushion 400.
In operation, the user places the cushion 400 on the armrest 500 and tightens or pulls the string 408, causing the cushion 400 to bend and wrap around on side ends. The user can secure the cushion 400 by adjusting the buckle or tightening clamp 506.
One benefit of providing skirt 405 is that it shields the outer covering 401 from the effect of tightening string 408. By providing attaching a skirt having a string, the invention shields the inner layer 403 from the tension and pressure caused by tightening of the string 408, thus maintaining the softness of cushion. When the user tightens the string 408, the cushion 400 dose not lose, but maintains the original cushion softness because the size of the space inside the outer covering 401 is relatively unaffected by the tightening so that the outer covering 401 provides space large enough to hold the inner layer 403 without compressing it even when the end portions 502 and 504 may bend, thereby allowing the inner layer to maintain its softness.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that the invention can be used in conjunction with any suitable types of chairs such as computer chairs, wheelchairs, bench chairs, and automobile armrests. Further, although an armrest cushion has been described in conjunction with an armrest of a chair, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention can be used for any other suitable purpose and application than chairs. For example, the cushion of the invention may be applied where there is a need to provide cushion support without involving an armrest.
While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.
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